Reis naar Pridnestrovie met Anton Dendemarchenko - dagtocht

Anton is an intellectual with a strong knowledge of history. However, I was not satisfied with the experience, as he often slept in the car and took frequent breaks. For €100, we could have visited many more places and seen more mosaics. Instead, he was tired and preferred to park the car and rest, while we continued exploring on foot.

If you want an authentic, deeply moving experience that goes far beyond the standard tourist path, look no further. Weeks after our meeting, the memories of what Anton shared with us are still incredibly vivid. Our chats and strolls with Anton at his place gave us a true glimpse into what it actually means to live in a place that lacks international political recognition.

Today was one of the most unforgettable days of my trip and I owe that entirely to Anton! We visited Bender and Tiraspol together, the heart of Pridnestrovie, one of the least known and most fascinating places in this part of the world. Anton was not simply a tour guide in the conventional sense, he was a host, a storyteller, and someone who genuinely shares a piece of himself with the people he takes along. What made the day so special was not the ticking off of sights, but the way Anton led us through his life, his perspective, and his home. It felt far less like an organised tour and much more like a long walk through the eyes of someone who does not just know this place, but truly understands and loves it. Anton spared no effort: he showed us everything worth seeing and explained the historical and political context. Pridnestrovie is definitely a place that stays with you. Travelling there alone, I would no doubt have had an interesting day, but with Anton the experience gained a depth I could never have found by myself. He offered me a shift in perspective that you rarely get to hope for when travelling. If you have even the slightest interest in this region, in history, in unresolved borders, in people living their everyday lives inside a political grey zone, I cannot recommend a day with Anton highly enough!

Anton provided us with an unforgettable experience in Transnistria (a Pridnestrovia -he will explain the difference of the name, it is not only a synonim). He truly immersed us in the local culture by introducing us to the people and giving us an authentic taste of life in the region. One of the highlights was crossing the river on a manual ferry, just like the locals do. He also took us to see the train that connects Odessa to Chișinău, which added a unique touch to our journey. Additionally, he organized our pick-up from Chișinău and ensured we were safely returned the next day. Anton's passion and knowledge made our visit truly special, and we are grateful for the memories we created together. ​

As a tour guide myself, I can confidently say that Anton offers a truly unique experience. Don’t expect dates, facts, or the usual “look on your right, look on your left” tour. Do your homework beforehand. Instead, Anton helps you understand the contradictions of an unrecognised country, Pridnestrovie, in his own way. He asks questions, challenges assumptions, and encourages you to see things beyond your Western perspective. If you're willing to step outside your comfort zone, take this tour.

It was not the Beatles but Anton who brought me back nearly 40 years in his Pridnestrovie , a country unrecognized by any UN member. His stories were full of love to his nation and questions to its future. Listen to him and see the place by yourself and you"ll have a new vision about something out of nostalgia! Thank you, Anton, you performed the art of guide through your stories and paintings! Thanks, Dima, you are an excellent driver!

Experiencing Pridnestrovie has been one of the highlights of my recent trip, it was a unique place full of its own peculiarities and contradictions, it felt as if parts of the place where still living in the 80s-90s with all the soviet aesthetic intact and on the other hand there were areas that felt as any other modern city, with its shops, cafes and restaurants. Anton made the tour a great one, making sure we get to experience the real Pridnestrovie by taking us to some hidden gems and making sure we get the chance to interact with the locals and get to see their perspectives as well as expectations and hopes for the future!

Anton was an incredible guide, and his tour is certainly different than other tours I’ve been on, more thought provoking. Pridnistrovie is a fascinating region, and I believe it is vital to travel there with someone from there, that currently lives there.

You could get a guide from Chisinau BUT Anton Dendemarchenko lives in Transnistria and he guides you through an experience of Pridnistrovia. He's very focused on providing a catered experience and he communicated via WhatsApp as soon as I booked to ask about who I am and what I wanted from my visit. To say he went beyond expected is no exaggeration, he added a few hours to our visit so he could show us more Local things. When you book with Anton, a local, you have so many advantages. Be warned there will be a quiz, you are expected to think... it's ok if you don't want to participate. And for your safety, there's no talking to Anton while he's driving in the city. For some reason I got a Gilead vibe, there is NO similarity, just the desire to create your own country and the reaction from the rest of the world. So I say, as an experienced world explorer, Book This Experience!

Unforgettable day, left a lasting mark on my friend and I. Anton was a knowledgeable, friendly and candid guide to a place few people know about. We not only saw the sights in Tiraspol, Bender and in between, but also learned about history through the eyes of people who lived and breathed it. Pridnestrovie is a wonderful place full of wonderful people and Id encourage everyone to visit.